JEC Becoming Pivot of Jeju as Carbon-free Island

The Jeju Energy Corporation (JEC) has been supporting new and renewable energy development and distribution to improve “energy welfare” for residents in the region. BusinessKorea sat down with Cha Woo-jin, CEO of the regional public company, to hear about the region’s direction and projects to implement the Carbon-free Island policy of the province. What follows are excerpts from the interview with him.

What is the foundation of Jeju Energy Corporation?

The corporation was set up in July 2012 for more efficient and systematic management of the natural resources of Jeju. At present, it is assuming a central role in the Carbon-free Island policy of the province.

Even before its inception, the corporation has been supported by 87.8 percent of the locals. To live up to expectations, we will strive to improve energy welfare for the people while promoting the region’s new growth engines based on stable profits.

For your reference, Bornholm Island in Denmark is running various programs associated with smart grid, electric vehicle, and new and renewable energy, which has resulted in an increasing number of tourists to the small island with a population of 40,000 and a return of more and more young people who used to head to cities to get a job.

Is it true the JEC helps set up an internationally-accredited testing agency for wind power generator makers?

Yes, that is true. We are anticipating the establishment of the first international testing agency in the domestic wind power industry that will lead to more economical and timely testing of locally-manufactured wind turbines and contribution to the export of competitive and high-performance products.

Furthermore, the accumulation of performance testing techniques will result in the development of floating-type offshore wind turbines and replacement of imported components, which, in turn, will turn Jeju into a linchpin of the global wind power sector.

Marine wind power is gaining attention due to civil complaints and regulations on land-based wind power.

Since there is a problem in profitability and a limitation in securing proper land owing to civil complaints and regulations in pursuing land wind power, marine wind power will be vitalized in the near future. We are currently taking steps to build pilot complexes for it in the Hanlim and Daejeong districts. We are going to thoroughly analyze and evaluate the process and expand marine wind power according to Jeju’s master plan for wind power management.

As a public enterprise for the region’s residents, we listen to their voices and hold their opinions in high regard. Currently, in the case of Dongbok wind power complex for example, we are modifying the wind power arrangement draft reflecting residents’ opinions. As a result, the second draft of the wind power generation arrangement has gained 95 percent support from them.

President Park Geun-hye has emphasized the acceleration of deregulation in the wind power generation sector.

Many onshore and offshore wind power projects have been postponed due to possible interference with military communications, damage to topography, the possibility of natural disasters, potential biological effects, etc. I believe well-organized and thoroughly-planned deregulation is the answer for balance between energy security, ecological preservation, and the development of the sector.

When it comes to land-based wind power, the Korea Forest Service made a prior announcement of legislation in late April this year to ease restrictions on the location requirements of future wind power facilities. I hope more specific and practical schemes will be made available over time through dialogue and exchange between the parties concerned.

Please give an outline of your long-term master plan.

The JEC is currently focusing on better management of the four wind power complexes in the region and better utilization of the wind power resources. This year, the construction of the Dongbok Wind Power Complex with a capacity of 30 MW is scheduled to be started. Once it is completed, Jeju’s annual electricity production increases to 65,700 Mwh, to add 140 billion won to its electric power income.

In the long term, we will expand the capacity of onshore and offshore wind power facilities to 150 MW and 1,650 MW each by 2030, while widening our scope of business to cover solar power, community energy, waste gasification and convergence programs associated with the tourism industry and energy control. Additionally, we will launch more energy welfare projects and joint research programs to share our growth with the people of the province.